Qld budget rethink in flood aftermath

Premier Anna Bligh has warned Queenslanders to expect changes to the Government's spending program over the next few years.

Ms Bligh will not say what projects may be mothballed, but says the floods have forced a budget rethink.

"I do need to flag that some reprioritisation in the short term may be necessary," she said.

"That's what families are doing right now - they're going to be putting off holidays this year or not spending money on something they really wanted to do so they can recover their homes and their lives.

He will not put a figure on how much the flood recovery is going to cost the state.

Mr Fraser says it is going to take some time to assess the damage and what needs to be done to rebuild.

"We're talking here about a task that will stretch to years, not weeks or months," he said.

"I expect the budget in June itself to also incorporate further support for flood recovery as those costs become clearer."

Mini-budget call

Yesterday, Opposition leader John-Paul Langbroek said that economists have put out a figure of $20 billion.

He says the massive economic cost of the floods could require a mini-budget before the normal budget in June.

"They are matters that I'm sure the Government are considering because we're still waiting for the mid-year economic review and obviously they're things we'll be discussing at shadow cabinet on Friday," he said.

"The Government is going to need to do something that's out of the ordinary and it may well be that an appropriation bill or mini-budget may be their response."

Independent Member for Nicklin Peter Wellington also wants the State Government to consider bringing down an early budget.

"We need to move to focus the resources on getting our communities back together so they are livable," he said.

"I think the Treasurer certainly is going to have to seriously consider bringing forward a mini-budget before the scheduled budget in June."

Varying impacts

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman says the Brisbane City Council Inquiry will focus on how the flood affected different parts of the city.

"Anecdotally we are seeing that the flood levels in certain areas were higher than expected, even though we had a lower than '74 flood in the city," he said.

"As someone who once was a professional engineer, I am intrigued, fascinated and we've got to get to the bottom of it because we've got to make sure we understand how this has occurred."

Mr Newman says he does not believe the floods will have a major impact on the city's property prices.

He says riverfront properties will always be in demand.

"I've been talking to a lot of people on these, particularly the waterfront homes, and they're saying 'we want to live here' and the school of thought, even with people who flooded in '74, is it is about risk and reward," he said.

Memorial service

Premier Bligh says there is likely to be a memorial service to mourn for those who lost their lives in the state's floods.

Twenty people have been killed in the flood disaster, and authorities are continuing to search for 12 people who are still missing.

Ms Bligh says it is a significant loss of life.

"When you see more than 20 out of one small area in one event, it is important that the whole community can come together and start to contemplate what they've gone through and start the healing process," she said.